Leoma Lovegrove helps raise $6,700 for the M/PIFCD

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From left, Engineer Brant, Mercedes Price, Harry (Vino Picasso) Mike Silberg, Leoma Lovegrove, Deputy Chief Mickuleit, Capt. Russell, Firefighter Hotwagner, Firefighter Barr, Engineer Adema. ED FRANKS

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Participants in the Firemen’s Fest. PHOTO PROVIDED

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Last Friday morning, Leoma Lovegrove presented a check to the Matlacha Pine Island Fire Department for $6,700. The money was raised at Lovegrove Gallery with the first annual Firemen’s Fest.

Lovegrove offered an original artwork to be raffled off at the Taste of Pine Island, but after the event was postponed for a month and then finally cancelled due to the heavy rains, Lovegrove decided on a Firemen’s Fest.

“When the Taste of Pine Island was finally cancelled we had to come up with something else,” Lovegrove said. “Every Sunday we have a meet-and-greet and decided to raise some money at those. Then the final event was the Firemen’s Fest. Several firemen came and painted copies of the original artwork ‘Fire House Groupie.’

“Mercedes Price Harry of Vino Picasso donated all of the paints and supplies for the Firemen’s Fest,” Lovegrove said. “We had more than 50 people at $100 each and everybody had a fun time and raised this money for the Fire Department. The gardens were at it’s peak with the whole shebang.

“This was so successful that we’ve already decided to plan for the 2nd annual Firemen’s Fest next year.”